Preliminary Results and Interim Management Stat...

Kenmare Resources plc ("Kenmare" or "the Company") Kenmare Preliminary Results For the year ended 31 December 2008 (LSE/ISE: KMR) 17 April 2009 Chairman's Statement Dear Shareholder, Over the past year we have worked with one main focus: to improve production. We are now in a much improved position to deliver on our targets for the Moma Titanium Minerals Mine. While we have made significant improvements in production levels over the past year, there have also been significant challenges. These included Cyclone Jokwe, successive missed deadlines by our construction contractor and aspects of the plant which were demonstrated as not being 'fit for purpose' frustrating our ability to reach full production. However, the Board remains confident that the mine will reach full production by the end of this year and that the plan to get there is both achievable and realistic. Key steps taken by the Board and Kenmare's management team to ensure that these targets are reached by late 2009 include: -Development of a detailed plan which addresses production issues and their solutions; -Implementation of a detailed Performance Improvement Project ("PIP") to rectify deficiencies in the plant and equipment, 75% complete; and -Appointment of a new Chief Operating Officer and a new General Manager for the mine. In November 2008, Kenmare required the construction contractor to participate in a set of performance tests on the facilities at the mine. These tests were witnessed by a jointly appointed independent observer and, as we anticipated, failed to achieve the required performance criteria outlined in the contract in a number of key areas. This enabled Kenmare to present the contractor with a set of projects we considered necessary to reach full production, and to insist that implementation commenced immediately. This set of projects, known collectively as the PIP, is being implemented largely by the contractor with close involvement by a dedicated Kenmare project team to ensure adherence to the agreed schedule and scope of work. In the three months since it was initiated, the PIP has been 75% completed across 326 action areas with all necessary new equipment either delivered, in transit or in manufacture. While most tasks within the PIP fall under the contractor's responsibility, Kenmare is itself responsible for a sub-set of tasks necessary to achieve full production of 800,000 tonnes per annum of ilmenite plus co-products rutile and zircon. The PIP is addressing key areas that are vital to achieving production targets, including the upgrade of the dredge hydraulics, slimes and tailings disposal pumping systems, material handling systems in the mineral separation plant, and provision of additional separation equipment in the ilmenite, zircon and rutile circuits, combined with a new ilmenite reject scavenging system to optimise recoveries and product quality. Most of the work has to be completed before achieving significantly higher production levels and implementation involves some disruption of production as work is carried out. Nonetheless, production of heavy mineral concentrate, the limiting parameter, increased by 18% in quarter 1, 2009 compared with quarter 4, 2008. Kenmare has recruited a new Chief Operating Officer and General Manager for the mine. Both have successful track records and considerable experience in the mineral sands industry in South Africa and Australia, which will benefit the mine. They have, in turn, appointed a number of experienced personnel to key mining and processing positions, further strengthening the capacity of the mine to deliver on production targets. Drilling completed during 2008 resulted in an upgrade of an Inferred Resource at Namalope, the orebody on which the dredges are working, to a Probable Reserve. As a result, the heavy mineral reserves for the Namalope orebody increased from 21 million tonnes to 26 million tonnes of total heavy minerals, despite the consumption of 0.6 million tonnes during 2008. The new reserves have added an estimated five years of mine life to the Namalope deposit. At our Board meeting on 16 April 2009, Dr. Alastair Brown retired both from his executive position as Director of Geology and from the Board. Alastair was with Kenmare from 1987, providing the resource definition which has enabled the financing and construction of the mine. He worked in difficult circumstances with limited resources, but with rigorous methodology which has withstood examination by third party experts throughout the financing process. We all wish Alastair well in his retirement and thank him for his enormous contribution. The present difficulties faced by the world's economies are impacting on the uptake of titanium mineral products. In particular there has been strong inventory de-stocking, reducing demand by pigment producers, our key market. The bulk of the mine's planned production for 2009 is covered under marketing contracts and the shipment schedule for the coming months remains busy. We are hopeful that this inventory de-stocking cycle is nearing completion and that normal market conditions, even if at reduced levels, will soon resume. In September 2008, we initiated a dialogue with our lenders with the objective of preserving liquidity. As a result, I am pleased to report that lenders agreed to a deferment of capital repayments during 2009, to allow us use funds in the Contingency Reserve Account (US$15 million) for project purposes, and to defer the date by which we would otherwise have been required to achieve financial completion. This arrangement, along with existing financial resources and an invoice discounting facility being arranged with one of the lenders, will provide the additional liquidity necessary to enable Kenmare to achieve production ramp-up plans. The profit after tax for the year is US$0.3 million and arises from deposit interest earned and foreign exchange gains, less corporate and exploration costs. During 2008, operating and financial costs net of revenue earned for the period, totalling US$60.1 million, were capitalised in property, plant and equipment as construction was not yet complete and as the mine was not yet capable of operating close to design capacity. Senior and subordinated loans drawn at the year end amounted to US$334.8 million, US$121.7 million of which were Euro-denominated loans. At full production, we expect the mine's operating cost will be in the lowest quartile for titanium feedstock producers. The resource base, one of the largest in the world, will support successive expansions of capacity. We remain confident that, despite the disappointing delays in achieving full production, the mine's potential is enormous and we expect it will provide huge value to our shareholders. Charles Carvill Chairman This release incorporates Kenmare's Interim Management Statement relating to the period from 1 January 2009 to 16 April 2009. For more information: Kenmare Resources plc Michael Carvill, Managing Director Tel: +353 1 6710411 Mob: + 353 87 674 0110 Tony McCluskey, Financial Director Tel: +353 1 6710411 Mob: + 353 87 674 0346 Murray Consultants Elizabeth Headon Tel: +353 1 498 0345 Mob: + 353 87 989 7234 Conduit PR Ltd Leesa Peters/Fiona Hyland Tel: +44 207 429 6614 Mob: +44 781 215 9885 www.kenmareresources.com KENMARE RESOURCES PLC PRELIMINARY RESULTS CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2008 2008 2007 US$'000 US$'000 Continuing Operations Revenue - - Operating expenses (957) (12,557) Finance income 1,302 2,925 Profit/(loss) before tax 345 (9,632) Income tax expense - - Profit(loss) after tax for the financial 345 (9,632) year Attributable to Equity holders 345 (9,632) US$ cent per US$ cent per share share Earnings/(loss) per share: Basic 0.045c (1.40c) Earnings/(loss) per share: Diluted 0.042c (1.40c) KENMARE RESOURCES PLC PRELIMINARY RESULTS CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2008 2008 2007 US$'000 US$'000 Assets Non-Current Assets Property, plant and equipment 539,672 486,960 Current Assets Inventories 6,405 5,631 Trade and other receivables 3,033 4,842 Cash and cash equivalents 40,536 56,203 49,974 66,676 Total Assets 589,646 553,636 Equity Capital and reserves attributable to the Company's equity holders Called Up Share Capital 66,178 61,496 Share Premium 145,088 121,501 Retained Losses (30,791) (31,136) Other Reserves 42,668 41,562 Total Equity 223,143 193,423 Liabilities Non-Current Liabilities Bank loans 299,982 299,570 Obligations under finance lease 2,264 2,292 Provisions 4,179 2,505 306,425 304,367 Current Liabilities Bank loans 34,842 26,273 Trade and other payables 25,236 29,573 60,078 55,846 Total Liabilities 366,503 360,213 Total Equity and Liabilities 589,646 553,636 KENMARE RESOURCES PLC PRELIMINARY RESULTS CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2008 2008 2007 US$'000 US$'000 Cashflows from operating activities Profit/(loss) for the year 345 (9,632) Adjustment for: Foreign exchange movement (5,472) 1,680 Operating cash outflow (5,127) (7,952) Decrease/(increase) in inventories 408 (5,631) Decrease/(increase) in trade and other 1,809 (4,032) receivables (Decrease) in trade and other payables (4,414) (7,896) Increase in provisions 1,674 140 Cash used by operations (5,650) (25,371) Finance costs (13,739) (12,249) Net cash used in operating activities (19,389) (37,620) Cashflows from investing activities Addition to property, plant and equipment (39,050) (67,027) Net cash used in investing activities (39,050) (67,027) Cashflows from financing activities Proceeds on the issue of shares 28,269 3,542 Proceeds on shares to be issued - 14,249 Repayment of borrowings (20,335) (4,424) Increase in borrowings 29,316 59,691 Increase in obligations under finance leases 50 2,242 Net cash from financing activities 37,300 75,300 Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (21,139) (29,347) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the 56,203 87,230 year Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash 5,472 (1,680) equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year 40,536 56,203 NOTES TO THE PRELIMINARY RESULTS Note 1. Basis of Accounting and Preparation of Financial Information The preliminary results have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union. The financial statements are prepared in US Dollars under the historical cost convention. The financial information presented above does not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of the Companies Acts, 1963 to 2006. A copy of the accounts in respect of the financial year ended 31 December 2008 will be annexed to the Annual Return for 2009. The auditors have made a report without qualification of their audit of the financial statements in respect of the year ended 31 December 2008. In forming their opinion they have considered the adequacy of the disclosures made in the financial statements concerning the recoverability of property, plant and equipment and amounts due from subsidiary undertakings, the realisation of which is dependent on the successful development of economic ore reserves, successful ramp-up of production which includes the rectification of mining and processing equipment, and the continued availability of adequate financing including the waivers and amendments to the financing documents referred to in note 6 below. Their opinion is not qualified in this respect. The Directors approved the financial statements in respect of the financial year ended 31 December 2008 on 16 April 2009. The statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2007 prepared under IFRS upon which the auditors have issued an unqualified opinion, have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. Note 2. Earnings/(Loss) per share The calculation of the basic and diluted earnings/(loss) per share attributable to the ordinary equity holders of the parent is based on the profit after taxation of US$345,000 (2007: loss US$9,632,000) and the weighted average number of shares in issue during 2008 for the purposes of basic earnings/(loss) per share of 760,160,548 (2007: 689,587,755) and for diluted earnings/(loss) per share of 825,386,342 (2007:755,652,168). In 2007 the basic loss per share and the diluted loss per share are the same, as the effect of the outstanding share options and warrants are anti-dilutive. Note 3. Property Plant and Equipment Plant Buildings Mobile Fixtures Construction Development Total & & & Equipment Equipment In Progress Expenditure Equipment Airstrip US$'000 US$'000 US$'000 US$'000 US$'000 US$'000 US$'000 Cost At 1 January - - - - 265,718 140,751 406,469 2007 Transfer from 255,175 3,812 5,919 1,949 (266,855) - - construction in progress Additions during 2,327 - 103 586 47,219 37,069 87,304 the year Impairment during the year - - - - - (1,455) (1,455) At 1 January 257,502 3,812 6,022 2,535 46,082 176,365 492,318 2008 Transfer from construction in 2,403 - 177 78 (2,658) - - progress Reclassification (1,182) - - - - - (1,182) to inventory Additions during 793 - 525 135 2,281 60,041 63,775 the year Impairment during the year - - (486) - - - (486) At 31 December 259,516 3,812 6,238 2,748 45,705 236,406 554,425 2008 Accumulated Depreciation At 1 January - - - - - - - 2007 Charge for the year 2,775 74 2,207 302 - - 5,358 At 1 January 2,775 74 2,207 302 - - 5,358 2008 Charge for the 7,445 191 1,252 820 - - 9,708 year Impairment during the year - - (313) - - - (313) At 31 December 10,220 265 3,146 1,122 - - 14,753 2008 Carrying Amount At 31 December 249,296 3,547 3,092 1,626 45,705 236,406 539,672 2008 At 31 December 254,727 3,738 3,815 2,233 46,082 176,365 486,960 2007 A construction contract for the engineering, procurement, building, commissioning and transfer of facilities at the Moma Titanium Minerals Mine in Mozambique was entered into on 7 April 2004. The Contractor is a joint venture formed for this project by subsidiaries of Multiplex Limited and Bateman B.V. Construction in progress shown in a separate note in 2007 has been included above. The construction contract was amended in December 2006 to provide for among other things, taking-over the Moma Titanium Minerals Project works in sections. At 31 December 2008, the only remaining section to be taken over was the roaster. During the year the mining reserve was increased to represent approximately a 21 year life at expected production levels. This has resulted in a change in the unit of production depreciation which is calculated using the quantity of material extracted from the mine in the period as a percentage of the total quantity of material to be extracted in current and future periods based on the mining reserve. Included in plant and equipment are capital spares of US$0.5 million. The Company has reclassified consumable spares included in property, plant and equipment of US$1.2 million into inventory. Substantially all the property, plant and equipment will be mortgaged to secure banking facilities granted, as detailed in note 6. The recovery of property, plant and equipment is dependent upon the successful operation of the Moma Titanium Minerals Mine, which in turn is dependent on the successful ramp-up of production, including rectification of mining and processing equipment and continued availability of adequate funding for the mine. The Directors are satisfied that at the balance sheet date the recoverable amount of property, plant and equipment exceeds its carrying amount and based on the planned mine production levels that the Moma Titanium Minerals Mine will achieve positive cash flows. No impairment provision has been made in respect of property, plant and equipment. Note 4. Trade and Other Receivables 2008 2007 US$'000 US$'000 Trade receivables 593 2,922 Other receivables 2,343 1,851 Prepayments 97 69 3,033 4,842 During the year an invoice discounting facility was in place with Barclays Bank plc. The invoice discounting fee was LIBOR plus 1%. This facility expired in January 2009. The Group is arranging with Absa Bank, an existing senior lender, a replacement of this facility. The invoice discounting facility is an important component of the Group's financing arrangements and the Group expects that a replacement facility will be available later this year. Of the US$0.593 million outstanding from trade receivables above, US$0.52 million is less than 30 days and an amount of US$0.588 million has been received post year end. There has been no impairment in trade receivables during the year and no allowance for impairment has been provided for during the year or at the year end. Included in other receivables is an amount US$1.3 million due from the contractor, for repair and other costs incurred by the Group on behalf of the contractor which are refundable under the terms of the construction contract. The Directors are satisfied that these amounts can be deducted from amounts due to the contractor. Included in other receivables is an amount US$0.7 million due from an insurance claim. The Directors are satisfied this amount is recoverable. Note 5. Cash and Cash Equivalents 2008 2007 US$'000 US$'000 Immediately available without restriction 19,548 26,497 On fixed short-term deposit: Contingency Reserve Account 15,292 26,048 Shareholder Funding Account 24 25 Other short-term deposit 5,672 3,633 40,536 56,203 Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash balances held for the purposes of meeting short-term cash commitments and investments which are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value. Where investments are categorised as cash equivalents, the related balances have a maturity of three months or less from the date of investment. Cash at bank earns interest at floating rates based on daily deposit bank rates. Short-term deposits are made for varying periods of between one day and three months, depending on the cash requirements of the Group, and earn interest at the respective short-term deposit rates. The Contingency Reserve Account and Shareholder Funding Account on fixed short term deposit are amounts held in support of conditions required for Senior and Subordinated Loans as detailed in note 6. The amount required by the Senior and Subordinated Loan documentation to be maintained in the Contingency Reserve Account from time to time depends on a calculation involving capital and operating costs, interest and principal payments, and reserve account contributions required to achieve completion under the Project Loans as referred to in note 6. Note 6. Bank Loans 2008 2007 US$'000 US$'000 Senior Loans 188,844 210,694 Subordinated Loans 145,980 115,149 334,824 325,843 The borrowings are repayable as follows: Within one year 34,842 26,273 In the second year 36,633 28,283 In the third to fifth years inclusive 109,899 101,299 After five years 153,450 169,988 334,824 325,843 Less: amount due for settlement within 12 months (34,842) (26,273) Amount due for settlement after 12 months 299,982 299,570 2008 2007 US$'000 US$'000 Analysis of borrowings by currency Euro 121,666 119,253 US Dollars 213,158 206,590 334,824 325,843 The Bank Loans have been made to the Mozambique branches of Kenmare Moma Mining (Mauritius) Limited and Kenmare Moma Processing (Mauritius) Limited (the Project Companies). Bank loans are secured by substantially all rights and assets of the Company (other than cash and cash equivalents listed in note 5 as "Immediately available without restriction" of US$19.5 million at 31 December 2008 (31 December 2007: $26.5 million)) and the Moma Titanium Minerals Mine; security agreements over shares in the Project Companies; and a Contingency Reserve and Shareholder Funding Account as detailed in note 5. The Company has guaranteed the Bank Loans during the period prior to completion. The final date for achieving completion was formerly 30 June 2009. The Deed of Waiver and Amendment dated 31 March 2009 extended this date to 31 December 2012. Completion occurs upon meeting certain tests on a phased basis, including installation of all required facilities, meeting certain cost and production benchmarks and social and environmental requirements (which must take place by 31 December 2010), meeting marketing requirements (which must take place by 30 June 2011), and meeting legal and permitting requirements, and filling of specified reserve accounts to the required levels. Upon completion, the Company's guarantee of the Bank Loans will terminate. Failure to meet any of the phased tests or, subject to extension for force majeure not to exceed 365 days, failure to achieve completion by 31 December 2012, would result in an event of default under the Senior and Subordinated Loan documentation which, following notice, would give Lenders the right to accelerate the loans against the Project Companies, and to commence a two-stage process allowing the Lenders to exercise their security interests in the shares and assets (including accounts) of the Project Companies and in the Contingency Reserve Account and the Shareholder Funding Account. On 30 January 2009 a Deed of Waiver and Amendment was entered into by the Project Companies whereby the principal repayment due on the 2 February 2009 was deferred and spread over the remaining life of the loan facilities commencing on 1 February 2010. On 31 March 2009 a second Deed of Waiver and Amendment was entered into by the Project Companies whereby the senior principal repayment due on the 4 August 2009 was also deferred and spread over the remaining life of the loan facilities commencing on the 1 February 2010. The Subordinated principal repayment due on the 4 August 2009 was deferred and rolled up for repayment from future available project cash flow in accordance with the terms of the initial loan agreements. The revised repayment schedule based upon the Deeds of Waiver set out above is as follows: 2008 2007 US$'000 US$'000 The borrowings are repayable as follows: Within one year 5,160 26,273 In the second year 40,649 28,283 In the third to fifth years inclusive 121,946 101,299 After five years 167,069 169,988 334,824 325,843 Less: amount due for settlement within 12 months (5,160) (26,273) Amount due for settlement after 12 months 329,664 299,570 The Directors have prepared cash flow projections for the estimated life of the Moma Titanium Minerals Mine. These forecasts are based on the planned mine production levels which are dependent on the successful ramp-up of production through the project improvement plans and continued adequate funding for the mine. The cash flow projections based on planned mine production levels, arrangement of an invoice discounting facility referred to in note 4 and revised financing arrangements detailed above show that the mine operations will result in positive cash flows, and that the mine will have adequate funding for a period of not less than twelve months from the date of this report. Accordingly the Directors have prepared the financial statements on the basis that the Group is a going concern. Note 7. 2008 Annual Report and Accounts The Annual Report and Accounts will be posted to shareholders in due course. ---END OF MESSAGE--- This announcement was originally distributed by Hugin. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

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